Child&#39;s training step and footrest

ABSTRACT

A child&#39;s training step and footrest includes a generally U-shaped step which extends around the front and substantially along the sides of a toilet, the footrest being supported by a sidewall of height substantially less than the height of a toilet seat such that it provides support for a child&#39;s feet when seated on the toilet. The U-shaped footrest and sidewall provides a stable platform for a child to stand or sit with feet on the step or footrest, even if standing or sitting toward the side of the toilet. Cutouts in the front of the sidewall receive adult-sized feet so that the step and footrest does not have to be removed when an adult wishes to use the toilet, either standing or sitting. The step or footrest also does not detract from the bathroom appearance when left in place.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a child's training step and footrest for useby small children in the course of using the toilet. There are and havebeen a number of child's toilet seat designs which support a child on anadult-sized toilet seat.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,254,295 shows a toilet seat adapter for children,including flanges which wrap over the edges of a standard toilet seat tosecure the adapter and which includes a footrest.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,381,568 discloses a combination potty seat and footrestwhere the child's seat is removable from the toilet seat, inverted, andplaced on the floor in front of the toilet to function as a step stool.

There appears to be a need for a step stool for children which:

a) can be left positioned in front of the toilet;

b) enables a child to step up to the toilet seat or to stand in front ofthe toilet at an acceptable height;

c) is stable and secure against tipping;

d) without removing and replacing the step stool also serves as afootrest for the child when on the toilet seat;

e) is comfortable for a child sitting on the toilet seat with his or herlegs properly supported so that and he or she will feel secure; and

f) the footrest, which has large surfaces for secure support of thechild and allows the parent to decorate it with stickers for training oraward recognition for a child in toilet training.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Applicant has designed a child's step and footrest to be placed in frontof a toilet and which meets the needs set forth above in that it servesas a step stool for assisting a child to step up to the toilet seat orto stand in front of it. When the child is seated on the toilet seat, itprovides a footrest at a height that supports his or her legs. The stepand footrest extends around the front and both sides of the toilet and aconsiderable distance toward the back, so that it is very stable and hasessentially no tendency to tip. Preferably, the step and footrest isgenrally U-shaped and provides a stable platform, even if the childattempts to get on or off the seat toward the side rather than directlyto or from the front of the toilet seat.

In addition, the step stool and platform preferably has cutouts at thefront for receiving adult feet so that the step and footrest can remainin position and does not have to be removed at any time an adult desiresto use the toilet.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

This invention may be more clearly understood with the followingdetailed description and by reference to the drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective drawing of the step and footrest according tothe invention and showing a child in the process of stepping on the stepportion;

FIG. 2 is a perspective drawing of the step and footrest of FIG. 1showing a child on the toilet with her feet supported on the step andfootrest of the invention;

FIG. 3 is a front elevational view of the step and footrest of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of the step and footrest of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a rear elevational view thereof;

FIG. 6 is a top plan view thereof;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the step andfootrest of the invention;

FIG. 8 is a front elevational view of the embodiment of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a front elevational view of the embodiment of FIGS. 7 and 8;and

FIG. 10 is a rear elevational view of the embodiment of FIGS. 7-9.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to FIG. 1, a child's generally U-shaped training step andfootrest is shown at numeral 10 and consists of a footrest surface 12supported on a supporting wall 14 at a height above the floor, which issubstantially less than the height of a toilet seat S on a toilet T. Thefootrest 12 and sidewall 14 extend around the front and a substantialdistance toward the rear of toilet T, ensuring that the step andfootrest 10 is always stable and not likely to tip no matter where thechild puts his or her feet. A small child C is shown stepping onfootrest 12. Shown on the front of supporting wall 14 are a pair ofcutouts 16 and 18 which are sized to permit entry of adult-size shoeswhen used by a male. These cutouts permit an adult to stand in front ofthe toilet T without need to remove training step and footrest 10.Footrest 12 preferably includes a non-skid surface 13. The surface offootrest 12 should not be slippery when wet so has a non-skid surface.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 1 but showing child Cseated on toilet seat S with her feet in contact with footrest surface12. The child's training step and footrest 10 is preferably made ofnon-absorbent surface polyfoam material, although other materials couldbe used, such as molded or formed polyethylene or ABS. Cutouts 16 and 18could be combined into one opening if the center support member 20 isnot needed.

FIG. 3 is a front elevational view of the child's training step andfootrest 10 showing a tapered supporting wall 14 and cutouts 16 and 18.The height H can range from 5 in. to 9 in. in height

a) to provide adequate step height for the child in mounting the toilet;

b) support for the child's feet while seated; and

c) fit under the outside of the toilet bowl as illustrated in FIGS. 1and 2.

FIG. 4 is a left side view of the step and footrest 10. Cutout 16 isshown in sidewall 14. An edge of footrest surface 12 is shown. Thesupporting wall at the rear of step and footrest 10 is vertical.

FIG. 5 is a rear elevational view of the step and footrest 10 showingtapered supporting wall 14 and the large opening 22 at the rear of thegenerally U-shaped structure. Also visible in this view are cutouts 16and 18.

FIG. 6 is a top view of the step and footrest 10 showing the U-shapedconfiguration, including footrest 12, supporting wall 14, cutouts 16 and18, and the large opening 22. If desired, non-skid stickers 24 may beattached to footrest 12 or supporting wall 14, as indicated, to providerecognition for the child's accomplishment in toilet training. FIG. 6best shows the broad footrest surface 12 for use by the child whilemounting the toilet and for their feet while seated.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a child's trainingstep and footrest 30. This embodiment includes a vertical supportingwall 32 and a generally U-shaped footrest 34. A large opening 36 isshown at the rear for receiving the front of the toilet T.

FIG. 8 is a front elevational view of the training step and footrest 30showing the straight vertical supporting wall 32. Footrest 34 appears asa top surface.

FIG. 9 is a left side view of step and footrest 30; and FIG. 10 is arear view showing the large opening 36 for clearance with the toiletbase and bowl as illustrated by the dashed lines T.

From the foregoing, it will be recognized that the applicant hasprovided a stable, useful and functional child's training step andfootrest that can remain adjacent a toilet and which does not have to beremoved when an adult wants to use the toilet. Since it extends aroundthe front and substantially along both sides of the toilet, it is verystable and very unlikely to tip and cause a child to fall. The child'sfeet are well supported, sitting or standing, even if standing towardthe side of the toilet, so that the child feels safe. The training stepand footrest may remain in place at all times during the toilet trainingperiod of the child without being troublesome for adults.

The above-described embodiments of the present invention are merelydescriptive of its principles and are not to be considered limiting. Thescope of the present invention instead shall be determined from thescope of the following claims including their equivalents.

1. A child's training step and footrest comprising: a floor-supportedfootrest formed from substantially rigid foam having a supporting wallof height substantially less than the height of a toilet seat on atoilet and having a foot-supporting platform thereon, the height ofwhich supports the feet of a child sitting on said toilet seat; saidfootrest being U-shaped and dimensioned to wrap around the bowl of saidtoilet and extending substantially toward the rear of said toilet bowland inwardly toward the rear of said toilet bowl, whereby a child mayclimb on to the toilet seat from the front or sides and rest his or herfeet on the footrest while seated. 2.-4. (canceled)
 5. A child'straining step and footrest as claimed in claim 1 wherein said supportingwall has uniformly straight sides extending vertically downward fromsaid platform.
 6. (canceled)
 7. A child's training step and footrest asclaimed in claim 1 wherein non-skid accomplishment stickers may besecured to said footrest. 8.-10. (canceled)
 11. A child's training stepand footrest comprising a floor-supported footrest having a supportingwall of height substantially less than the height of a toilet seat on atoilet and a footrest having a non-skid surface which is generallyU-shaped and which extends around the front and along a substantialportion of both sides of the toilet bowl of a toilet, said footrestsurface being of maximum width at the front and at the sides adjacentthe front of said toilet seat.
 12. (canceled)
 13. (canceled)
 14. Achild's training step and footrest as claimed in claim 11 wherein theheight of said supporting wall is such that said footrest supports thefeet of a child sitting on said toilet seat.
 15. A child's training stepand footrest as claimed in claim 11 wherein all of said supporting wallhas straight sides extending vertically downward from said footrestsurface.
 16. A child's training step and footrest as claimed in claim 11wherein said footrest has an opening at the rear large enough to receivethe base of the toilet and at least a part of the outside of the toiletbowl to allow close fitting and a secure placement around the toilet.17. (canceled)
 18. A child's training step and footrest formed ofsubstantially rigid foam material comprising: a floor-supported footresthaving a supporting wall of height substantially less than the height ofa toilet seat on a toilet; and a footrest surface which is generallyU-shaped and which extends around the front and along a substantialportion of both sides of the toilet bowl; said footrest being of maximumwidth at the front and at the sides adjacent the front of said toiletbowl, and tapering inwardly toward the rear whereby a child may climb onto the toilet seat from the front or the sides; and whereby the heightof said supporting wall is such that said footrest supports the feet ofa child sitting on said toilet seat.